Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns

Another AFC North rookie wide receiver who is an intriguing 6th round pick is Cleveland’s Donovan Peoples-Jones. Peoples-Jones is sort of the opposite of James Proche. He has the ideal height-weight-speed for a wide receiver prospect, but Peoples-Jones’ college production just did not match his elite measurables.

Coming out of high school “DPJ” was the top ranked wide receiver in the country. He never quite lived up to that hype during his 3 seasons at his home state Michigan. His top yardage total for season during his career was just 612, although People-Jones’ QB-play at Michigan was pretty shaky. Peoples-Jones’ size does offer some red-zone ability, he had 14 career touchdowns.

Peoples-Jones now lands in Cleveland, who on-paper – should be a very high-powered offense. With Odell Beckham Jr, Jarvis Landry, and Rashard Higgins in front of him at WR, plus Austin Hooper and David Njoku at TE, Peoples-Jones will really have to earn his way on the field as a rookie. He could find a role as the team’s punt returner however, he had 2 punt-return TD’s in college.

In 2021, Peoples-Jones would have a shot at the WR3 in the lineup with Higgins set to hit free agency. His new head coach Kevin Stefanski also comes from a Minnesota Vikings-system that helped develop Stefon Diggs (5th round pick) and Adam Thielen (undrafted) into star WR’s. Not saying Peoples-Jone will ever get to that level, but he does land in interesting spot that could help maximize his strengths. Keep an eye out for “DPJ” early on in his career.